Mixing blues, rock and death metal really shouldn’t work at all, but on the whole it does on this debut from Finnish zombie rockers Rocking Corpses. Comprised of the duo Tony D.K. on vocals/guitar and Leper Laze on vocals/bass. Drums are performed by Vile, who I’m assuming is the same person that did the cover art according to the CD booklet. Loosely based on the concept of a zombie’s post-apocalyptic perspective of human behaviour; the idea works and is actually quite fun, when you read the humourous lyrics covering every eventuality of seemingly normal human behaviour.
Beginning this album is a Finnish funeral hymn apparently and quickly followed by “Up From The Grave” as the gut wrenching vocals are ultra low, like Will from Mortician (remember them). The rock ‘n’ roll feel is dominant with clean vocals being used mainly for the choral parts, which really are catchy as hell and tonally very good. The inclusion of various samples was expected but not so much they detract from the flow of the album. I actually felt there was a hefty Southern states metal ingredient on “Necropolis” during the guitar intro as again the clean vocal elements pervade the chorus and have a slight Chuck Billy twang in their delivery. There are street noises emphasizing the lyrical content as well for added theatre.
For some reason and before I knew it I had written Volbeat during “For Better For Worse” due to the groove laden guitar hooks and beat, and even some boozy Superchrist as well. A promo video exists for “Take For Whiskey”, made up of George A. Romero clips from various zombie films as this number offers a bit of rotting glam on the riffing and has a distinct 80s blood smear about it. “925” is exactly what the title suggests, nine to five routine as viewed by a zombie and is the first tune to begin with clean vocals rather than the bellowing belches. The groove and sleaze has Ramones on it as well as garage dirt rock like Quireboys, believe it or not. The band has a namesake tune that is very heavy and very funny lyrically, covering the ridiculous idea of a band on stage eating each other, damn bizarre. “In The Dead Of Night” definitely has signs of Fireball Ministry, again with silly but funny lyrics and possessing a good solo. Sleazy, gloopy, gnarly and outrageously infectious greets you with “Necrophiliacs”. The tune begins like bar room rock with acoustic guitar then followed by a cracking groove riff and beat and lyrically deals with falling in love with a dead girl; the guy sounds like Glenn Danzig singing along on a bar stool, nodding his head in appreciation. I love this song.
As an album, Rocking Corpses perverse view of the world manifests as contagious heavy rock festering with death metal whilst drowning in bourbon. Check it out and give it plenty of air time to root within your psyche before passing judgement. You will be amply rewarded I assure you.
(8.5/10 Martin Harris)
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